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Novidade
Introduction
Crop harvest has always commanded some sort of celebration in this agrarian country. In a commendable show of harmony in a country where communal riots are not too infrequent, the Christians and Hindus of Goa celebrate their principal harvest festival together. And this has been like this for ages now. The Novidade festival celebrated during Bhadra Pada (August-September) marks the offering of the first monsoon crop to God at the church, irrespective of anyone's religion. This phenomenon is also indicative the unique blend of communal rites as a result of long standing coexistence since the Portugese forayed into India.
Activities
The parish priest himself harvests the first sheaf of rice which carries back to the church to offer it to God on the altar. The process of harvest does not begin before this ritual offering has been made. No farmer, Christian or Hindu, touches his scythe before this. After the ritual, the process of harvest sets rolling. The local people accompany the priest in a colorful procession to and from the field. The evenings are marked by firework display and Bhandup- a traditional dance of the womenfolk of the native settlers. This dance carries on for the 2 nd half of the month.
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